A nurse is assisting with the plan of care for a client who is 4 hr postoperative from a subtotal thyroidectomy. Which of the following implementations should the nurse recommend?
Check for bleeding on the dressing at the back of the client’s neck.
Ensure that acetylcysteine IV is readily available.
Place the client in a side-lying position.
Check the client for asterixis.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A: Check for bleeding on the dressing at the back of the client’s neck. This is an implementation that the nurse should recommend for a client who is 4 hr postoperative from a subtotal thyroidectomy, which is a surgical removal of part of the thyroid gland. The nurse should check for bleeding on the dressing at the back of the client’s neck because this is where blood can pool and go unnoticed. Bleeding can cause hematoma, compression of the airway, and respiratory distress.
Choice B: Ensure that acetylcysteine IV is readily available. This is not an implementation that the nurse should recommend for a client who is 4 hr postoperative from a subtotal thyroidectomy. Acetylcysteine IV is an antidote for acetaminophen overdose, which can cause liver damage, but it is not related to thyroid surgery.
Choice C: Place the client in a side-lying position. This is not an implementation that the nurse should recommend for a client who is 4 hr postoperative from a subtotal thyroidectomy. The nurse should place the client in a semi-Fowler’s position, which is a position with the head of the bed elevated to 30 to 45 degrees. This position can facilitate breathing, reduce edema, and prevent aspiration.
Choice D: Check the client for asterixis. This is not an implementation that the nurse should recommend for a client who is 4 hr postoperative from a subtotal thyroidectomy. Asterixis is a sign of hepatic encephalopathy, which is a condition caused by liver failure, but it is not related to thyroid surgery.

Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A: Sedentary lifestyle. This is a risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes mellitus, which is a condition that occurs when the body becomes resistant to the action of insulin or does not produce enough insulin to maintain normal blood glucose levels. Insulin is a hormone that helps glucose enter the cells and be used for energy. A sedentary lifestyle can increase the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus by reducing physical activity, which can improve insulin sensitivity and lower blood glucose levels.
Choice B: Triglyceride level of 100 mg/dL. This is not a risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes mellitus, but rather a normal value. Triglycerides are a type of fat that circulates in the blood and can be used for energy or stored in adipose tissue. A high triglyceride level can indicate an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, but it is not directly related to type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Choice C: Blood glucose of 98 mg/dL. This is not a risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes mellitus, but rather a normal value. Blood glucose is the amount of glucose in the blood, which can vary depending on food intake, physical activity, and hormonal regulation. A high blood glucose level can indicate type 2 diabetes mellitus, but it is not a cause of it.
Choice D: Recent viral infection. This is not a risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes mellitus, but rather a possible trigger for type 1 diabetes mellitus, which is a condition that occurs when the immune system destroys the beta cells of the pancreas that produce insulin. A viral infection can trigger an autoimmune response that attacks the beta cells and causes type 1 diabetes mellitus.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A: Faty stools. This is a finding that is expected for a client who has obstruction and inflammation of the common bile duct due to cholelithiasis, which is the presence of gallstones in the gallbladder or bile ducts. The common bile duct carries bile from the liver and gallbladder to the duodenum, where it helps digest fats. If the common bile duct is obstructed by a gallstone, bile cannot reach the duodenum and fats cannot be properly absorbed. This results in fatty stools, which are also known as steatorrhea. Fatty stools are pale, bulky, greasy, and foul-smelling.
Choice B: Ecchymosis of the extremities. This is not a finding that is expected for a client who has obstruction and inflammation of the common bile duct due to cholelithiasis. Ecchymosis of the extremities is a sign of bleeding under the skin, which can be caused by trauma, coagulation disorders, or medications. It is not related to bile duct obstruction or gallstones.
Choice C: Straw-colored urine. This is not a finding that is expected for a client who has obstruction and inflammation of the common bile duct due to cholelithiasis. Straw-coloured urine is a normal colour of urine, which indicates adequate hydration and kidney function. It is not affected by bile duct obstruction or gallstones.
Choice D: Tenderness in the left upper abdomen. This is not a finding that is expected for a client who has obstruction and inflammation of the common bile duct due to cholelithiasis. Tenderness in the left upper abdomen is a sign of splenomegaly, which is an enlargement of the spleen due to infection, inflammation, or cancer. It is not related to bile duct obstruction or gallstones.

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